Pouring spout



J. SCHMIDT POURING SPOUT Aug; 7, 1956 Filed Dec. 50, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet1 37,28 "n1 m 13 12 FlGoIo 19 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS .Aug. 7,1956 .1.SCHMIDT 2,757,831

POIIURING SPOUT 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I; NVENTORK 1" 13I (10.7722 Selina J2 wmwyww ATTORNEYS United States Patent POURING srourJohn Schmidt, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by mesne ass gnments, toCrown "Cork &'Seal"Cornpany, Inca, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of NewYork Application December 30, 195 2,'Serial No. 328,641

6 Claims. (Cl. 222-539) This invention relates to pouring spout unitsfor con tainers, and particularly to reversible pouring spouts adaptedfor use with conventional sheet metal containers.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a reversible pouringspout of improved and simplified design, readily adapted for manufacturefrom a variety of suitable materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, one-piece pouringspout composed of synthetic organic plastic material, which may besealed, reversed and resealed repeatedly, without the aid of gaskets orsimilar elements. A related object is to provide a reversible pouringspout proof against the corrosive action of various chemicals andchemical mixtures.

A further object is to provide a pouring spout having its outer endclosed by an integral but destructible end wall, whereby entry of liquidinto the spout when sealed in a container is prevented, and prior use ofthe spout is clearly evidenced.

Yet another object is to provide a reversible pouring spout unitincluding an overall, tamper-proof seal cap,

which must be destroyed for access to the spout and serves to close thebase end of the spout when sealed inside a container. Further objects ofthe invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, sealed in a conventional container shown in section;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding generally to Figures 1 and 3,but showing the pouring spout in reversed and extended position, withoriginal sealing elements removed;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of an alternative form of theinvention, showing the pouring spout sealed inside a container, and

Figure 7 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 6, showing thepouring spout in extended position, ready for use.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in Figures 1, 3, and 5 is indicateda conventional sheet metal container 10, and its top 12. The containertop is provided with a well 13, in which is fixed a screw threaded neck14. Associated with the neck 14 is a pouring spout indicated generallyas 15, including a tubular body portion 16, preferably of curved andtapering configuration, as shown. At the wider or base end of the spout,an annular flange 17 extends outwardly therefrom, at right angles to theaxis thereof or at any rate in a single plane. The outer or opposite endof the spout is externally screw threaded, as at 18, for reception andengagement of a screw cap 19.

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As an outstanding feature of the invention, the outer end of the spoutis closed by a thin, integral end wall 20, adapted to be cut away orotherwise destroyed and removed before use.

For shipment, the spout is disposed as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3,with its flange 17 resting on the edge of container neck 14 and the bodyof the spout enclosed within the container. The container neck isdesirably, although not necessarily, formed at its outer end into aninwardly extending flange 22, which may be provided with an annularupstanding bead 23 adapted to engage the spout flange. The spout isretained in position by means of. a screw cap 24, threadably engaged tothe container neck. The base of cap 24 is centrally apertured at 25, andadjacent the aperture may be provided with an annular inwardly extendingbead 26, also adapted to engage the spout flange.

The elements described comprise a completely operative and usefulpouring spout unit. The spout may be constructed of metal, butpreferably is constructed of synthetic organic plastic material. Anumber of plastic materials may be readily and relatively inexpensivelymolded to final form, and are adequately deformable to permit effectivesealing without the aid of gaskets or the like. In the embodimentdescribed, for example, the spout flange may be pressure engaged betweenthe outer end of the container neck, or its head 23, and the base of cap24, or its bead 26, and for a variety of purposes this pressureengagement of the plastic flange has been found quite effective to sealthe contents of the container. The elimination of gasketing is obviouslyadvantageous, particularly in that it avoids the problem of selectingsuitable gasket materials for the various compounds which may be shippedin the containers. Additionally, the use of extra, loose parts, easilymisplaced or damaged, is completely obviated.

With thespout mounted and enclosed as shown in Figures 1 and 3, thecontainer contents are fully protected and sealed. Escape or leakagethrough the container neck is prevented by the pressure engagementbetween spout flange 17 and neck bead 23, and entry of containedmaterialinto the interior of the pouring spout is fully prevented by theintegral end wall 20 thereof. Screw cap 19 is conveniently mounted onthe outer end of the spout, for

purpose hereinafter set forth.

A synthetic organic plastic material particularly suitable as a spoutmaterial is vinyl resin, such asavinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer.Other suitable materials are acrylic resin such as methyl methacrylate,nylon, polyethylene, polystyrenes, and synthetic rubbers. These andequivalent materials are relatively inert, and compressible adequatelyto achieve a satisfactory seal.

To insure against tampering and assure the purchaser that the originalcontents of the container have not been disturbed, the pouring spoutunit may in shipment be covered by an overall tamper-proof seal cap 26,positioned over and enclosing screw cap 24. The seal cap performs theadditional function, it will be particularly noted, of protecting theopen base end of the spout, whereby trash, dirt, and the like may notreadily find their way into the interior thereof. The seal cap ispreferably of bat shape, and may comprise a top 27 and a cylindricalbody portion 28. The body portion terminates in an outwardly offsetshoulder 29, from which an annular skirt Ell depends, the skirt sectionbeing disposed substantially parallel to the body portion. When the sealcap has been positioned over screw cap 24 and the spout retainedthereby, it may be secured in place by crimping at spaced intervals, asat 32. As illustrated in Figure 1, the seal cap may be crimped at fourplaces spaced equally about its circum ference, and as illustrated inFigure 3, is crimped t1ghtly against the base of container neck 14. Inits shoulder 29, the seal cap desirably is segmentally scored, as at 33.

Operation of the device will now be described in detail. The spout unitis preferably assembled for shipment as disclosed in Figure 1, with theseal cap positioned and securely crimped thereabout. As will be evident,access to the spout can be had only through removal of the seal cap,which can be effected only by destruction thereof. In order to dispensethe container contents, a sharp instrument may be inserted into thescores 33 of the seal cap. and the cap skirt 30 destroyed by suchinstrument or completely separated from the body portion thereof. Theseal cap being removed and discarded, screw cap 24 may be threadablydisengaged from the container neck, and the pouring spout removed fromthe container, convcniently by inserting a finger thereinto forgrasping. The spout screw cap 19 may be removed, and the end wall 20 ofthe pouring spout must then be cut out or otherwise destroyed. Thishaving been done, the spout and screw cap 24 may be reassembled in therelationship illustrated in Figure 5, whereupon the contents of thecontainer may be readily dispensed. The base end of the spout, it willbe noted, fits within aperture 25 of screw cap 24, and when asembled inpouring position, the spout flange is again sealed to the container neckand to the retaining screw cap 24 in the manner previously described.The interior of the spout, having been protected by its end wall 20 andseal cap 26, will be free of dirt or other contaminant, and the spoutmay be used immediately without cleaning. If the container contents areonly partially used, screw cap 19 may be employed to temporarily closethe outer end of the spout, and protect the material remaining.

In special cases, for example when distant shipment and prolongedstorage may be involved, additional elements may be employed with theinvention, to insure permanence of the seal in spite of prolongedvibration and the like. As illustrated in Figure 6, the spout unit maybe assembled with a separate annular gasket 34 of suitable materialpositioned between the spout flange and the container neck. Also, tofurnish additional protection against the entry of dust, water, etc.into the interior of the pouring spout, a disc insert 35 of metal orother suitable material may be provided to close the open end of thespout. Such disc is most conveniently disposed between the spout flangeand the base of screw cap 24, as shown. When this embodiment of theinvention is unsealed for dispensing, the disc insert is of coursediscarded, and the gasket 34 may be similarly discarded, or it may beremoved from the spout and further employed between the spout flange andthe container neck, as illustrated in Figure 7.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention astructure in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, togetherwith many practical advantages, are successfully achieved. As variouspossible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the aboveinvention, all without departing from the scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. A container including a screw threaded neck, a reversible spoutassociated with said neck, said spout having a base flange adapted forcooperation with said neck and being closed at its other end by anintegral end wall, an apertured screw cap adapted to threadably engagesaid neck whereby the flange of said spout may be retained therebetween,and a tamper-proof seal cap enclosing said screw cap and fastenedthereabout in such manner that removal of said seal cap cannot beeffected without destruction thereof.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said spout is composedof synthetic organic plastic material.

3. A container including a screw threaded neck, a reversible spoutassociated with said neck, said spout having a base flange adapted forcooperation with said neck and being closed at its other end by anintegral end wall, an apertured screw cap adapted to threadably engagesaid neck whereby the flange of said spout may be retained therebetween,and a seal cap enclosing said screw cap and crimped thereabout to saidneck, said seal cap being circumferentially scored to facilitate tearingthereof.

4. The invention as defined by claim 3, wherein said spout is composedof synthetic organic plastic material.

5. The invention as defined by claim 3, including a metal disc disposedbetween said spout base flange and the base of said screw cap.

6. The invention as defined by claim 1, including a metal disc disposedbetween said spout base flange and the base of said screw cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,025,747 Hothersall Dec. 31, 1935 2,070,783 Conner Feb. 16, 19372,103,406 Conner Dec. 28, 1937 2,207,176 Phillips July 9, 1940 2,661,128Rieke Dec. 1, 1953

